Objective "MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a novel class of human disease genes that are key to a number of therapeutic areas in particular cancer, and also heart disease, infectious disease and ageing. Specifically, some miRNAs are known to regulate cancer therapeutic targets acting as tumour suppressors and some are prognostic and diagnostic markers of human disease. The requirement for targeted anti-cancer therapies to effect specific disease treatment is well established and considered a primary goal for moving cancer towards a treatable, controllable chronic condition.miRNA-based therapeutics is a well-occupied space. However, existing commercial efforts and IP is focused on the use of oligonucleotides and oligonucleotide derivatives to inhibit or modulate the expression of miRNAs. Such efforts have been largely limited by the challenges associated with poor delivery.Instead we have identified novel opportunities to target miRNA pathways using small molecules. Specifically, we discovered a novel class of enzymes (TUTases) that regulate miRNAs by terminal polyuridylation. We found that a specific member of this family (Tut4) acts to inhibit the tumour suppressor miRNA let-7 in a model organism and human cancer cells. TUTases likely provide multiple novel anti-cancer targets. For example, the Tutase Gld2 was recently shown to regulate the p53 tumour suppressor pathway by modifying the miR-122 miRNA.We have developed an efficient in vitro assay of Tut4 activity. Here, we want to develop this assay into a high-throughput screening platform to identify small molecule inhibitors of Tutases. Such small molecules are proof-of-concept molecules for a novel anti-cancer strategy." Fields of science medical and health scienceshealth sciencesinfectious diseasesmedical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsenzymes Programme(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) ERC-OA-2012-PoC - European Research Council ERC Proof of Concept Call for proposal ERC-2012-PoC See other projects for this call Funding Scheme CSA-SA(POC) - Supporting action (Proof of Concept) Host institution THE CHANCELLOR MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE EU contribution € 98 926,85 Address TRINITY LANE THE OLD SCHOOLS CB2 1TN Cambridge United Kingdom See on map Region East of England East Anglia Cambridgeshire CC Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Renata Schaeffer (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all THE CHANCELLOR MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE United Kingdom EU contribution € 98 926,85 Address TRINITY LANE THE OLD SCHOOLS CB2 1TN Cambridge See on map Region East of England East Anglia Cambridgeshire CC Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Renata Schaeffer (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data